10 essential places to see in Riviera Maya

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This list of places to see in Riviera Maya It will help you to know better one of the wonders of Mexico and one of the places that we are safe, you will never forget.This coastal area of ​​white sand beaches and turquoise waters, typical of the Caribbean Sea, receives millions of tourists every year to enjoy a dream vacation, in which in addition to relaxing on the beach and seeing its fantastic coral reefs, You can enjoy several of the best sites of the ancient Mayan civilization and one of the best gastronomies in the world.The best way to get to Riviera Maya is to fly to Cancun and stay at a hotel in its most important cities such as Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum or the quieter Akumal, from where you can rent a car to tour the entire Yucatan Peninsula through your account, use the bus as public transport or book day trips from your hotel, depending on your preferences.

Although the temperature is hot throughout the year in this part of Mexico, the best time to travel to Riviera Maya, broadly speaking, would be from January to April, at which time there is less tourism and the weather is more pleasant.Based on the days we spent in this jewel of the country during our trip to Mexico for free, we have made this list of what we think are the 10 essential places to visit in Riviera Maya.Keep in mind that although Riviera Maya is the coast of the state of Quintana Roo, by proximity there are several important places in the state of Yucatán that are worth knowing if you visit this area and we have included them in the list.

1. Tulum

Tulum is one of the favorite holiday destinations for tourists from all over the world and one of the places to see in Riviera Maya more beautiful. Here you can see the archaeological site of a Mayan city located on top of a cliff above the transparent waters and the intense turquoise color of the Caribbean Sea, which form one of the most famous postcards of the country.The Tulum ruins complex can be explored in about two hours and end the visit by taking a bath on the beach located under the site, one of the most spectacular in the world.And if after this you still have time, we recommend you to walk to Playa Paraíso, a long beach of white sand and palm trees where you can eat, have a drink or just lay on a towel or hammock to end the day in the best way .

To get to the site, if you do not have a rental car, you can take a bus to the city of Tulum and from there a van to the ruins.Another easier and more comfortable option is to book a tour with a Spanish guide at dawn or this tour that also includes a visit to the Mayan ruins of Cobá, taking into account that both tours will pick you up at the hotel.

2. Cenotes

The cenotes, some calcareous caves resulting from erosion and flooded with crystalline waters, are another of the essential places to visit in Riviera Maya.There are different types of cenotes; closed, open or semi-open, depending on the degree of demolition of the natural dome that covers them. We liked the closed or semi-open ones, although we assure you that any of them will surprise you as soon as you arrive.In addition to entering its caves and taking thousands of photos, we recommend taking a relaxing bath or even diving, since in cenotes such as Chac Mool or Dos Ojos, formed by caverns connected through underground rivers, diving is always allowed with a guide and Open sky cenotes, such as the Cenote Azul and the Gran Cenote are perfect for snorkeling.Although our favorites are the cenotes around Valladolid cave type with a small opening and located in the middle of the jungle, among which we highlight Samulá, X'kekén, Palomitas, Agua Dulce, Xcanahaltun, Hubiku, Suytun and Il Kil, located at side of Chichen Itza.If you want to visit them in peace, we recommend you rent a car, since the states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo have good roads and are very safe to travel in your own car.Another alternative if you do not want to drive is to book a tour through the cenotes of the Riviera Maya, where they will pick you up at the hotel.

Women Island

10. Sian Ka'an

The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected natural space in the Caribbean and our latest recommendation from the list of essential places to see in Riviera Maya.It is in this area where you can see almost virgin beaches of white sand, mangroves, freshwater springs that spring from the bottom, to a half-submerged Mayan temple, in addition to a great diversity of fauna such as birds of all kinds, crocodiles, manatees, turtles , dolphins, spider monkeys, pumas and even jaguars, which is another of its great claims.Keep in mind that Sian Ka'an can be traveled by boat, taking a tour with a local guide or just relax on one of its beaches and sleep in one of its bungalows, so it is worth knowing what your preferences are for be able to make a reservation if necessary.

The best way to get to and from Sian Ka'an is by rental car along its sandy paths, always remembering to take the full tank, since there are no gas stations there. If you want to go by public transport you can take a bus from Tulum to Punta Allen and there take an excursion to visit the park. Another option is to take a tour in one of the cities of Riviera Maya such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

Map of the best places to visit in Riviera Maya

If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to see in Riviera Maya, add yours in the comments.